Faculty and Staff Information

Welcome to all UAF faculty and Staff!

UAF Disability Services provides academic and access accommodations to students with long term and temporary disabilities. The mission of Disability Services (DS) is to empower, support, and advocate for students who experience disabilities by partnering with the University community in the provision of equal access to all curricular and co-curricular programs, facilities, services, and activities. 

Students who qualify for academic or access adjustments, because of a documented disability, have the right to the approved accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. If you have any concerns or questions regarding Academic Accommodations please do not hesitate to Contact Us. 

Course Suggestions

  • Provide a detailed course syllabus. Make it available in the department or on the Web prior to the registration deadline.
  • Invite students with disabilities to meet early in the semester to discuss their needs. This should be included on the syllabus.
  • Define expectations at the beginning of the course. Students with disabilities often need lead time to arrange for support services through Disability Services.
  • Use a variety of teaching methods. Some examples are:
    • Pass out an outline for the lecture.
    • Present vocabulary aloud and in written form.
    • Use visual aids to reinforce the lecture.
    • Describe aloud any visual aids used during the class.
    • Illustrate abstract concepts with concrete examples.
    • Give opportunities for hands-on learning where possible.
    • Encourage students to use current technology, such as hand-held spelling devices or word processors for tests and assignments. Faculty should be aware that penalties for misspelled but correct responses might put some students at a disadvantage due to their disability.
    • A number of students have difficulty translating thoughts into written form. Allow students to demonstrate comprehension of course material using alternative methods such as taped or oral exams.

May I Fail a Student with a Disability?

Students who experience a disability should be treated with the same consideration and evaluation criteria as any other student in the class. Faculty members may in fact fail a student with disabilities in the same way that they would fail any other student who does not meet course standards

Federal and state laws mandate equal access to education but do not guarantee academic success. Students with and without disabilities are responsible for their own academic performance and for meeting the requirements outlined on the syllabus and in UAF degrees programs.

It is of course possible for any student to complain, but not all complaints involve evidence of discrimination. When faculty have demonstrated compliance with the law there is no reason to anticipate a lawsuit.

Below is a compliance checklist to insure that in evaluating and/or grading a student with a disability registered for your class you have complied with laws:

  • Communicate clear standards and set concise expectations for all students.
  • Be able to distinguish between essential and non-essential components of the course. Are spelling, reading, calculating, and/or physical attendance essential to your class?
  • Allow reasonable accommodations. Accommodations are considered reasonable as long as course standards are not fundamentally altered.
  • Provide all reasonable accommodations as detailed in the letter of accommodation from the UAF Disability Services office.
  • Notify students of your willingness to accommodate.
  • Consult with UAF Disability Services.
  • Have all accommodations been granted? These include special testing arrangements, note takers, altered formats, enlargements, and attention to:
    • Keeping confidential disability-related discussions and information.
    • Creating a welcoming, positive, supportive, and diverse classroom.

Emergency Preparedness

Additionally, we request that all faculty, staff and students review our Emergency Preparedness Guide. In a case of emergency it is vitally important that faculty and staff be prepared to assist all students, especially students with disabilities, when evacuating a building or managing crisis situations. If you are concerned or have questions about the Emergency Preparedness Guide, or what your job specifically is as a faculty and/or staff member, please contact our office to set up a meeting.